Independently owned since 1905
Independently owned since 1905
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The Thompson Falls City Council continues to follow social distancing measures and recommendations from the state and local government during the coronavirus pandemic. That didn't stop council members from meeting earlier this week. The council utilized video conferencing for the meeting, during which they thanked citizens, emergency personnel and city workers for continuing to follow protocol during this time. "Together we are going to get through this, and I think we are looking at better...
The Sanders County Weed District has received funding for the rush skeletonweed project. A $23,000 grant was awarded through the Noxious Weed Trust Fund (NWTF). The NWTF grant is funded through the Montana Department of Agriculture (MDA) and the Noxious Weed Management Advisory Council. The MDA states, "The grants assist counties, conservation districts, local communities, tribes, researchers and educators in efforts to combat noxious weeds in Montana." Rush skeletonweed is a non-native plant...
The E.L. Johnson Memorial Pool is one step closer to being up and ready for the seasonal opening now that the pool's entire plumbing system was replaced last week and pressure tested on Tuesday by Master Plumber Tye Thompson, who replaced 560 feet of pipe around the pool. Thompson, who is also a master electrician, is the owner of Christner Electric of Trout Creek. Three other plumbers showed interest in bidding for the project, but all backed out before starting work, which was supposed to be d...
DINO PROTECTION – The species of dinosaurs might be extinct, but the Plains Sinclair gas station wanted to protect its dinosaur mascot. Staff member Monica Weedeman placed a protective mask on "Claire" last week to protect it from the coronavirus....
It is not often that we, as a nation, are able to come together to help each other—those we know and those we don’t know. Yes, we do come together to help in disasters like floods and hurricanes, but those are essentially local or regional events and lack the universal sense of purpose that a nation-wide disaster can instill in a people. Of course, I am talking about the Covid-19 pandemic and America’s response to it, and frankly, I am heartened by what I hear. In the 1990s I would talk to pe...
Just over the hill from Sanders County, a Washington gubernatorial candidate recently declared Governor Inslee’s business closures “unconstitutional.” My initial reaction was to assume this labeling was made-for-TV campaign rhetoric that might fizzle away in another week or two, probably harmless, and instead of chewing on it, I should chew peacefully on my breakfast bagel. But over the past forty years or so I’ve heard the words “unconstitutional” and “constitutional” so many times from so many seemingly unqualified voices that I’ve becom...
It's taken far too long to take a minute to write this and send it. Every time I go into the newly owned Thompson Falls Family Pharmacy I am reminded how comforting Pharmacist Doug and crew were. For years Doug took care of all of us with his advice, expertise and compassion. He kept prices as low as he could. He always made time to answer a question. We miss him. We miss the crew. We are appreciative that a few of the old staff remained for the new owners. This is in no way a criticism of the new staff. Purely a belated thanks to Doug and his...
Being part of a small community definitely has large rewards. These communities are appealing because people tend to “look out” for one another and “have each other’s backs.” Fortunate for many of us, we live in one of the many small communities in Sanders County; Dixon, Hot Springs, Plains, Thompson Falls, Trout Creek, Noxon or Heron. Regardless of your residence, the quaintness usually exudes feelings of unity. Unity - the state of being united or joined as a whole (defined by Google’s dictionary). With this definition, it appears tha...
5 YEARS AGO • APRIL 16, 1970 FALLS ‘CHET’ HUNTLEY FILMING WAR DANANG, Vietnam – Chief Warrant Officer Harley L. (Chet) Huntley of Thompson Falls flies with pilots of the 1st Marine Aircraft Wing (MAW) to photograph the wing’s role in Vietnam. Huntley, photographic officer for the 1st MAW, has recently been flying in the back seat of the OV-10 Bronco observation plane taking motion picture footage of Marine Corps aircraft flying combat missions. His motion picture footage is sent to the combat pictorial center at Headquarters Marine Corps in...
JACK LEHL, Alberton, Montana – “I am excited to be able to go to a restaurant again.” SHAUN HEWLETT, Thompson Falls – “I want to go back to church and support local businesses.” ANGELA MUSE, Plains – “I would like to have the essentials back on the grocery store shelves and for the grocery stores to be open all the time.” SANDI ALEXANDER, Thompson Falls – “Giving back and shopping with our local businesses.” ZACH BUTCHER, Plains – “I would be most excited about normal store hours.” MITCHELL STUART, Plains – “I can’t wait for family gatherings...
Ambulance calls: Thompson Falls, 4; Plains, 4; Hot Springs, 1; Dixon, 2. Monday, April 6 Stolen vehicle, Trout Creek. Suicide attempt or threats, Hot Springs. Animal complaint, T. Falls. Animal complaint, T. Falls. Property damage, criminal mischief, possible stalking case, T. Falls. Animal abuse, Lonepine. Possible attempted break in, T. Falls. Harassment, Plains. Disturbance between neighbors, Hot Springs. Animal stray, lost, Plains. Animal stray, lost. Reported altercation between neighbors. Road hazard, blockage. Tuesday, April 7 Motorist a...
Montana Highway Patrol Emmalese Weber, 19, driving without a valid license, $285. Charles Frick, 63, seatbelt violation, $20. Marjory Barnes, 56, day speeding, $70. Harley Sorrell, 18, careless driving, $85; obstructing a peace officer, $175. Matthew Borgmann, 44, seatbelt violation, $20. Bridget Meeks, 36, seatbelt violation, $20. Chad Sperling, 44, speeding in restricted zone, $95. Sanders County Sheriff’s Office Dakota Carter, 19, criminal mischief pecuniary loss less than $1,500, $100 plus $995 restitution....
NAME: Mary E. Meyer OCCUPATION: retired 1. What is unique about you that would benefit the school board? As a retired District Clerk of Trout Creek School, I possess a unique skill set and perspective on the daily operations, financial requirements, and the Board’s role in supporting the teachers, families and students of this community. Trout Creek school is a family-centered educational culture and my experience affords me the understanding needed to function as a liaison between daily school operations and the Board of Trustees. I also h...
NAME: Ashley Block OCCUPATION: Mental Health Therapist, Business owner 1. What is unique about you that would benefit the school board? My educational background and professional occupation help me to objectively approach issues and rationally discuss topics, in order to assist in formulating ideas and procedures. As a member of our community, I spend a large portion of my time alongside parents and the youth that attend our school system. This makes me accessible and approachable to the general public regularly. My life is centered around...
NAME: Andrew Chaboya Cabaccang OCCUPATION: Political Strategist, Volunteer 1. What is unique about you that would benefit the school board? I’m a proud graduate of Noxon High School (1982). I believe in public education 100%. My opponent has chosen to home school some of his children. If one feels that is the best for one’s child, so be it. However, I feel a board member must be “all in” when it comes to public education. I also believe that one has to be out and about in the community. You will find me at both school and community events....
Work has begun on the project to repair the Clark Fork River Bridge near Trout Creek. Construction on the bridge, as well as safety improvements on Blue Slide Road, the primary alternate route for the project, are under way. According to the Montana Department of Transportation (MDT), crews are improving safety on Blue Slide Road to help accommodate increased local traffic. The Blue Slide Road portion of the project is expected to be completed in May and will include adding additional...
Supporting one another becomes essential during times such as the pandemic we are currently finding ourselves in. Food banks throughout Sanders County have become staples for many people during these trying times. As people have lost employment, the local food banks have become increasingly important. With increased need comes an increase in resources. Town Pump has recently announced they will proudly be releasing $1 million in emergency grants through the Town Pump Charitable Foundation. They funds will be distributed to food banks throughout...
The Thompson Falls School Board met last week to address the continuing remote learning efforts in compliance with Governor Bullock’s directives due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The board also discussed contract renewals for staff members. The board voted unanimously to not renew high school principal Rich Ferris’s contract. Ferris is coming up on the end of his three-year starting probationary period and is un-tenured. This vote was to determine if he would be permanently accepted into the position, as explained by interim Superintendent Mic...
It took her a couple of weeks to reach peace with this interrupted season, but Plains track and field coach Denise Montgomery says she has. The veteran of eight years of working with her Trotter and Horsemen athletes each spring until now is finally good with 2020, not coaching and maintaining social distance with her beloved kids and all. Even though it drove her crazy for a couple of weeks arriving at this point of peace of mind. A lot of people know exactly what Montgomery is going through...
Trenna Ferris shouldn't be sitting at her kitchen table right now, devising training schedules for her track and field athletes. Take a look out the window at that beautiful Sanders County weather. It's nice outside, she should be out there in the field, or on the track, coaching her Thompson Falls athletes as the bright, brilliant spring weather of western Montana finally kisses our surrounding mountains with sunshine and warmth. In between the intermittent spring rains typical for this time...
With the coronavirus situation effecting average everyday life, the future of sports is undetermined, however some of the coaches at Thompson Falls are presenting their athletes with ways to stay in shape at home and on their own. “The point of sports is to spend time with each other, however if they are determined kids can take advantage of this time to improve,” said Thompson Falls boys basketball coach, and physical education teacher, Jake Mickelson. Some of the track and softball coaches are sending home warmups and workouts for their ath...
8 is advancing, and the public is being continually updated about new findings on a daily basis. Studies done by the World Health Organization (WHO), has given us insight about how long this virus can survive on surfaces. The organization has stated the coronavirus can survive on surfaces for a few hours up to several days. They also say the timing of survivability varies under different conditions. The type of surface and the temperature or humidity of the environment are factors that determine the length of time. The good news is that...
The Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act was passed by the U.S. House of Representatives on March 27. As part of this Act many receiving unemployment will be receiving more assistance during the world-wide health crisis caused by the COVID-19 outbreak. Erin Krantz, with the Department of Labor and Industry for Thompson Falls and Polson, is reaching out to let the locals of Sanders County know that they should contact the department if they are having any kind of trouble at this time, or have any questions. “We are happy t...
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